Would You Try A Yoga Fight Club?

The physical practice of yoga is a body-sculpting one (Hello, toned triceps thanks to lots of Chaturangas!). But when combined with the cardio circuits of boot camp, you'll be torching major calories.

Photo by George Holz

Over the past few months there has been a proliferation of boot camp-infused yoga classes… perhaps the ultimate yin and yang? Yoga can be extremely beneficial to the body (from great sex to better sleep, check out these 7 mind-body benefits to striking a pose), but unfortunately, it doesn’t rank as a top heart-protecting workout. The solution: combining the mindful, elongating postures of yoga with the kick-butt, heart-strengthening benefits of boot camp. (Think of it as a pumped-up, athletic sun salutation series.)

Here’s how you can jump in on the trend:

At Home: Kimberly Fowler’s Yoga & Weights DVDFounder of the popular West Coast based YAS studio, Kimberly Fowler has recently released a new Yoga & Weights DVD. The 30-minute YOGA + WEIGHTS combines moves from Fowler’s signature YOGA for ATHLETES class with 3-pound handheld weights. (Think Chair and Warrior poses paired with a shoulder press.)

Mandy Ingber’s Yogalosophy DVDSculpt like Jen Aniston anywhere, anytime by traveling with her personal trainer (virtually, of course). Mandy Ingber’s Yogalosophy DVD offers two unique practices. Mixing body-weight exercises like dips and lunges with yoga breathwork and flow makes for a total body toning class. Score more moves from Mandy with her Jen-worthy flat abs routine.

Yoga BootCamp with Ashley Turner and Ted McDonald DVDThe DVD offers four challenging cardio-yoga workouts that focus on developing what Turner calls “inner power:” flexibility, strength and clarity in body and mind. Workouts are more yoga-based than some of the others, and it incorporates lots of core work!

Yoma at Crunch gymsThe name YOMA is derived from the three techniques the workout uses: the mindfulness of Yoga, intensity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and postural benefits of Alexander Technique. During the class, yoga poses include warrior-like strikes and takedowns. Ready to try a move? Check out this core strength series from the creator Greg Bycoff.

At The Yoga Studio:Yoga Fight Club Bootcamp at OM Factor in NYCA fusion of yoga and kickboxing, Yoga Fight Club is designed to help you unleash your inner (peaceful) warrior. Yoga poses are used as the warm-up to, and transitions between, the calorie-torching kickboxing segments. It forces the body to find calmness, balance and recovery amongst high intensity situations.

Loren Bassett’s Bassett Bootcamp at Pure Yoga NYCIncorporating body weight exercises like jump squats and push-ups with strength-building poses like Warrior III and plank makes for one kick-butt yoga practice. When I tried the class, we practiced in a heated room and ended class with a wall squat face-off… I was sore for days afterwards!